If there's anything I think the current ownership has done right over their tenure is to not sink too much money long term into pitchers. They've been famously been burnt a couple times and I think they've learned their lesson. Pitchers, while if they stay healthy can be a great deal if you invest long term early. But if they break down they can really hamstring your franchise for a long, long time.

Yeah, Barry Zito's deal with the Giants really hurt that franchise, they only have 2 World Series championships in the last 3 seasons.

__________________

"I give you five minutes when we get there. Anything happens in that five minutes and I'm yours. No matter what. Anything a minute on either side of that and you're on your own. I don't sit in while you're running it down. I don't carry a gun. I drive."

Yeah, Barry Zito's deal with the Giants really hurt that franchise, they only have 2 World Series championships in the last 3 seasons.

That was a little different, as it was a free-agent deal (that many at the time saw as ridiculous), not a team locking up it's own player during his arbitration years.

In other words, the Giants guaranteed Zito $126 million over 7 years when he signed the deal at the peak of his prime or just past it. The White Sox have "just" $35 million guaranteed over 5 seasons to Chris Sale, before he's even eligible for free agency.

So, Sale could be here another seven years and, at his highest contract point in the last year of the deal, he will still be making one million dollars less than what Peavy is making this year. That's amazing.

McDowell was no better than Buehrle. Numbers are pretty much identical.

McDowell had a couple of prolific seasons ('92 and '93) that probably top anything Buehrle ever accomplished during an individual season, but if you're talking over the long haul, considering durability, dependibility, poise during big games, and overall accomplishments, Buerhle of course blows him away. It's a fun discussion. Buehrle's legacy will be greater than McDowell's though.

Yeah, Barry Zito's deal with the Giants really hurt that franchise, they only have 2 World Series championships in the last 3 seasons.

The Giants had an amazing group of guys come up at the same time with Lincecum, Cain, Posey, Panda, and that bullpen, none of which were making huge money yet. I won't say they were "lucky" because there's no such thing as luck in developing that much talent, but they were very fortunate that the Zito thing didn't hurt as bad as it could have.

McDowell had a couple of prolific seasons ('92 and '93) that probably top anything Buehrle ever accomplished during an individual season, but if you're talking over the long haul, considering durability, dependibility, poise during big games, and overall accomplishments, Buerhle of course blows him away. It's a fun discussion. Buehrle's legacy will be greater than McDowell's though.

Buehrle's 04 and 05 were just as strong as Blackjack's 92 and 93. Very slight advantages for McDowell in ERA and innings pitched, Buehrle with the slight advantage in WHIP, SO/BB. They were both awesome for us, but Mark is every bit the ace that Jack was.

Yeah, Barry Zito's deal with the Giants really hurt that franchise, they only have 2 World Series championships in the last 3 seasons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian26

The Giants had an amazing group of guys come up at the same time with Lincecum, Cain, Posey, Panda, and that bullpen, none of which were making huge money yet. I won't say they were "lucky" because there's no such thing as luck in developing that much talent, but they were very fortunate that the Zito thing didn't hurt as bad as it could have.

Ya, because the Giants and White Sox finances are exactly the same too.

And Zito can still throw. Maybe not as effectively as he once could, but he didn't "break down" in the manner I was speaking. He's still somewhat productive.

__________________
"I told you I'd give my left nut to help this team." Paul Konerko

Ya, because the Giants and White Sox finances are exactly the same too.

I'm actually agreeing with your point if you'd take a moment to try to digest the discussion.

Most franchises would be crippled by that Zito signing. The Giants would have been crippled as well, but they were fortunate that an entire core group of guys came up with relatively small salaries, such that the Giants didn't have to go out and try to fill holes with free agents or overpriced veterans through trades.

I'm actually agreeing with your point if you'd take a moment to try to digest the discussion.

Most franchises would be crippled by that Zito signing. The Giants would have been crippled as well, but they were fortunate that an entire core group of guys came up with relatively small salaries, such that the Giants didn't have to go out and try to fill holes with free agents or overpriced veterans through trades.

Honestly, I don't really know why I quoted you. I didn't find anything you said to be wrong. I agree with you as well.